https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:33:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789827 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:24:08 +0000 psw27 1789827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just note the registry and have her return what she doesn't need or want. Most people only shop at the same few stores so she should be able to return most everything for store credit to get what she needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789805 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:14:39 +0000 makemake 1789805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ooooh man. I guess I'm the odd-man out. I think it would be totally fine to blatantly say "no clothes please, what would really help this couple is gear". The point of the shower is to help the expecting family, right?! I'd want to know that they didn't want clothes!</p> <p>But then, my perspective on this is that I abhor baby clothes, think they are so ugly, and will dress my babies in plain black onsies exclusively. :silly: </p> <p>Putting a note on the Amazon registry is a good idea, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789746 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:53:54 +0000 alphagam84 1789746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's my fear if I get pregnant and have a girl. I don't want pink everything! My thought is to not announce the gender until after the shower or maybe during the shower after the gifts are already there :) Although it wouldn't work if you already announced the sex. My gf had a girl and I figured she'd get all pink stuff at her shower so I purposely bought her gear and no clothes. And she did get a ton of pink stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789686 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:37:23 +0000 theknest 1789686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny - great point </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789680 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:35:10 +0000 regberadaisy 1789680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW everyone that bought us clothes also bought something off the registry.</p> <p>My bigger culprit was bath sets!!! I got SO many freaking bath sets that LO is 27 m and I'm still not through them. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789679 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:35:08 +0000 sunny 1789679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the wording you have is fine and hopefully that will be good enough. </p> <p>(As an aside, I don't think its a big deal to include shower information on the invite, particularly since it is a shower thrown by you in your friend's honor. I think weddings are a bit different because you're throwing a wedding in your own honor (even if your parents are helping/paying). Plus, to me, showers are a gift giving event, so it would really help me as a guest to know where I can purchase a gift.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789671 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:33:57 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1789671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's not a polite way to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789666 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:32:26 +0000 theknest 1789666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's a tough one. Is there anyone close to the friend (and isn't helping host the shower) that would be willing to call/email some of the people invited and say "Hey, thought it would be fun to go in together and get XYZ a really neat group gift - didn't know if you'd be interested..." some people will say no but others would love to do that (easier for them!). We do that for a lot of our friend's showers - often we'll say $12-15 for the group gift and then each person usually will give them something else, i.e. pacifiers, outfits, books... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789665 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:32:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 1789665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Smarty pants!</p> <p>I wouldn't say anything. I was able to return 99% of the clothes I did not want to keep. If there's no gift receipt, you can usually figure out where it was purchased by googling the brand &amp; they will most likely take it back &amp; give you a gift card. The few things I didn't want to keep that I was not able to return, I sold or regifted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789655 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:27:37 +0000 CakeLady 1789655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that people will buy clothes anyway.. I'm actually guilty of this, though in my defense I'm also getting her stuff from her registry and giving her some gear DS has outgrown!</p> <p>@NeekieRose: I like the idea of adding a note to her registry rather than the invite!</p> <p>Word of mouth is also a great suggestion. @lawbee11: sneaky and clever! </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: smart thinking with the group gift too.</p> <p>And I'll definitely just remind her beforehand that she should keep tags on to return what she doesn't want/need.</p> <p>I can always count on the bees for great advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789644 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:24:22 +0000 deerylou 1789644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately, regardless of how you word it, people are going to come, armed with clothing. I had numerous shower guests text me to ask where I was registered, despite it being clearly printed on the invitation. I'm pretty sure people skim for date, location and time, and that's about it. ;)</p> <p>We had a girl, and received an overwhelming amount of clothing, shoes, and headbows. Friends of mine who got lucky with numerous gear oriented gifts were team green. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789625 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:14:25 +0000 MamaMoose 1789625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is no polite way to word that.</p> <p>This is part of the reason my husband and I were team green, people are less inclined to buy gender neutral clothes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789622 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:12:24 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1789622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try spreading through word of mouth they are all set on clothes. The registry should only have gear not even onesies as a single clothes item may make people wander off in clothes land. Who ever helps her open and sort gifts during the shower should pay close attention to tags and receipts so she can take back clothes. Other than that I don't think you need to put anything else on the invite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789590 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:02:54 +0000 Happygal 1789590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I don't think there's a polite way to do it. Based on the showers I've attended, people will bring clothes no matter what! For that reason, I would stay on the safe etiquette ground and just share the registry information. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789589 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:02:52 +0000 artsyfartsy 1789589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I understand the frustration but I don't think there's a polite way to word it unfortunately. Even if there was one, people wouldn't pay attention. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789564 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:53:54 +0000 snowjewelz 1789564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hopefully she is registered so at least people that like to buy off registries will know. And hopefully people that give you clothes will give her a gift receipt at least! There's def no stopping the clothes train! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789558 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:52:53 +0000 swurlygurl 1789558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I was just about to come say this!</p> <p>I prevented people from buying clothes by accident! I received a TON of hand-me-downs from a very generous coworker, and after spending all day organizing and hanging them I posted a picture to FB/IG of them all hung up talking about how L already had a ton of clothes. Well, a) they were from newborn through 2T, and b) I loooove baby clothes, and actually wanted the new fun styles. BUT, everyone had seen the pic of all L's clothes and I hardly got any new clothes... so sad :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789557 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:52:23 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1789557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Either that or just try to spread it word of mouth when people RSVP. "Just wanted to make sure you knew she was registered at Amazon in case you needed ideas for a gift. I know she's gotten a lot of hand me down clothes, but there is a lot of gear she needs" </p> <p>Or offer to set up a fund for a group gift for a larger item. I think sometimes people get clothes when maybe they want to just spend a smaller amount $20 or so, but if you give them the option to put that $20 towards a larger gift maybe they would. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789556 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:52:21 +0000 youboots 1789556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11, clever :)</p> <p>My sister gave M and I a box of clothes about 20-25 items total up to a year, he was stoked and thought we were all set for baby clothes. Sorry, we need more than 2-3 outfits per size my love :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789553 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:51:21 +0000 dagret 1789553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't use the word "outfit" their nursery...because that word makes me think of clothes (even subliminally). maybe "equip?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789547 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:49:16 +0000 lawbee11 1789547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are a lot of people that are invited on social media (Facebook or IG)? A couple of weeks before my shower I took a pic of a huge stack of baby clothes as I was organizing her closet and put it on social media with a caption like, "Looks like we're set for baby girl!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789533 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:45:54 +0000 youboots 1789533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a line like that is innocent enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789514 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:39:07 +0000 Smurfette 1789514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way to stop it. Just spread the word if you can that they have plenty of clothes and really need gear, but I wouldn't put anything on the invitation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789513 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:38:32 +0000 looch 1789513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you can put some kind of cute rhyme on the invite? People might be a little less put off that you're dictating what they can buy, but I would be prepared for a lot of stuff that's not on the registry, probably a lot of it without gift reciepts or tags on them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789510 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:37:44 +0000 NeekieRose 1789510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your wording is okay, but is probably the same as just including the registry information. If she is registered on Amazon, I know there is the option for her to put a note at the top of the registry. That might be an appropriate place to put a note rather than on an invitation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789508 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:37:24 +0000 Freckles 1789508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That line sounds neutral enough, but i hope she hides her disappointment if people buy her clothes. People love buying clothes (especially for girls) and she should keep the tags and return whatever she doesn't want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789507 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:37:12 +0000 regberadaisy 1789507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People will buy clothes. I repeat. People will buy clothes. Prepare for a pepto bismol explosion. I don't understand the extreme love of PINK for girls.</p> <p>I thought about not sharing the gender to curb the clothing gifts but MIL (who was throwing the shower) vetoed it. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789505 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:36:51 +0000 Mae 1789505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also don't think there is a polite way to do it, unfortunately! Everyone wants to buy girl clothes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789502 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:36:18 +0000 DigAPony 1789502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all you can do is tell people where she's registered and let people know that they really need x, y, and z just by word of mouth. And tell her not to take tags off any clothes she gets! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-there-a-polite-way-to-ask-for-no-clothes-on-a-shower-invite#post-1789500 Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:35:51 +0000 autumnlove 1789500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there is a polite way to do it and she should just return or sell the stuff she doesn't want or need. </p>